MEET : THE CREATOR OF THE SKATEROOM

The Skateroom collaborates with some of the world’s most famous contemporary artists to make limited edition skateboards. Works of art by legendary artists such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Paul McCarthy, Keith Haring and the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei are reproduced on unique skateboards, which become real collector’s items.
In addition to its artistic dimension, The Skateroom project is also a social project, as part of the proceeds is donated to organisations, such as Skateistan, which sees the skateboard as a tool for social change and empowerment.

Meet Charles-Antoine Bodson, creator of The Skateroom and an inspirational figure in today’s art world.

How did The Skateroom project start?

The Skateroom project is above all an artistic project : designing limited edition skateboards based on works of art by contemporary artists. These skateboards are available in the most prestigious art and culture centres around the world, such as MoMA or the Vuitton Foundation, at affordable prices, in order to make art more accessible to everyone.

But The Skateroom is most importantly a social project because part of the proceeds from the sale of skateboards is donated to social organisations like Skateistan. Skateistan intends to use this money to democratise skateboarding around the world and support youth development projects, particularly by building skateparks in developing countries.

Which artists has The Skateroom collaborated with?

The list is very long! We have worked with internationally renowned artists (or their heirs) such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, and other up-and-coming artists like Jean Jullien or the Californian artist and designer Steven Harrington. Each skateboard is a reflection of the artist's unique world, which makes it one of a kind!

Could you tell us a bit more about Skateistan’s work and explain why you wanted to link an artistic project to a social initiative?

Part of the proceeds from the sale of The Skateroom skateboards is donated to the Skateistan organisation. This association supports the building of skateparks in developing countries, such as Cambodia and Afghanistan, and access to stakeboarding lessons for children.
In this way, the skateparks, which are built by local communities themselves and to whom we provide the necessary materials and expertise, become places for meeting and interacting with others. Thanks to the skateboard, the inhabitants become agents of their own future, and that helps to spread a very positive and creative energy.Everyone wants to skateboard, even those who had never heard about this sport before.

The Skateroom has a presence in a certain number of, mostly cultural, institutions. What does being at Le Bon Marché mean to The Skateroom?

Le Bon Marché is an unmissable address for coming face to face with an audience which has an awareness of art outside the walls of museums. It is an institution which is really committed to art, and we are very proud to be on show at this beautiful store in the 7th arrondissement in Paris.